The famed D.C. institution and half-smoke joint will open a location in Rosslyn in early 2014.

Nizam Ali, one of Ben’s three sons, told DCist Mayor Vincent Gray and other politicians are also scheduled to speak.

Photo by caroline.angelo. • The Washington Post is reporting that Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley will likely face a challenge in his 2010 bid for re-election from George W. Owings III, a former legislator from Southern Maryland. Owings has scheduled a press conference for January 6. • The New York Times Magazine profiled the late Ben Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl last week. • Two pedestrians were seriously injured this morning when they were hit…

Ben Ali The Ali family is holding a memorial service today for Ben’s Chili Bowl co-founder Ben Ali, who died last week at 82. The memorial service actually began a short while ago, at noon, at the Lincoln Theater on U Street. While the service is open to the public, the short notice implies mostly family, friends and colleagues are in attendance today. In a message on the Ben’s web site, the family asks…

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty just put out his statement reacting to the passing of Ben’s Chili Bowl co-founder Ben Ali. More statements we’ve received today from local politicos are rounded up after the jump. “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the founder and namesake of Ben’s Chili Bowl, one of the greatest treasures in the District of Columbia. Ben Ali was a man who invested his life in a small…

The lunch counter at Ben’s Chili Bowl Thursday was full, as regulars remembered founder Ben Ali. Ben’s Chili Bowl continued to serve up its trademark chili-smothered half-smokes on Thursday, despite the loss Wednesday night of its co-founder, Ben Ali. The Post says Ali, 82, died at home, of congestive heart failure. The hearts of Ben’s employees and customers were heavy today. As word of Ali’s death spread into the afternoon, faithful regulars (amid a…

Ben Ali Very sad news for D.C. residents and lovers of half-smokes the world over: Ben Ali, co-founder of Washington institution Ben’s Chili Bowl, passed away Wednesday night, (as City Desk also reports). He was 82. Ali, along with his wife, Virginia, had long since handed over control of the landmark eatery to their two sons, Kamal and Nizam, but his presence there continues to loom large. The chili, half-smokes, cheese fries and shakes…